Archer Swift

The Joy of Frustratia Archer Swift 1st edition

The Joy of Frustratia takes a satirical look into the hearts and minds of two former high school mates who reunite late in life. Both are high public officials of their mother country. Both share a deep dislike of their high school days. However, they don't just commiserate about it: they decide to use their positions and power to 'neutralize' their alma mater, if only for the sake of future generations of unsuspecting youngsters. Not only does their plan succeed...but the slowly rotting monarchy and government of their mother country implodes on itself, as a direct result. The Joy of Frustratia delves into the mindset of a particular and peculiar culture, but with tongue firmly in cheek. It is a satirical send up of a certain country called Frustratia. Its odd culture and system of values are so deeply embedded in its educational system that the two protagonists perceive their own school as a mere tool of state. The moral is - "Beware the school that made you who you are..!" Sir Utley Ewesless is approaching retirement. He has made it almost to the top of his profession. He is now the head official in the Treasury House of the Kingdom of Frustratia. Memories of his high school days still haunt him profoundly, leaving him with a sense that he had somehow been 'bred' there to become yet another servant of a self-perpetuating monarchy and its attendant government apparatus. So when he hears that Liam Fitzchitz, his former high school chum, victim of school bullying and now a higly successful military man, has at last returned to Frustratia from overseas, he calls him up to get together. As they talk, they share their most intimate feelings about their awful high school experiences. They decide to hatch a plan to 'neutralize' the school to which they were sent away at a tender age, and for so many years. As their plan unfolds, there are unexpected twists and turns along the way which will make you, the reader, gasp, laugh, smile and maybe even recognize a little of yourself in their story. Several surprises follow, including a revolution in Frustratia triggered not least by the fallout from their operations. Ironically, the two men race against time and gamble that no none will discover what they have done. Meanwhile, the monarchy and its government fall into disarray...and then collapse.